Lloyd House : New Plymouth Residence

New Plymouth Residence

Design: Saunders Architects Limited

Location: New Plymouth, Taranaki, NZ

Contemporary Property in New Plymouth

Situated up a long driveway far from the road this home is in a private setting surrounded by trees and with a beautiful distant view towards the Tasman Sea The owners brief called for a large two storey home that was “different” but functional and easy to live in.

photo : Mark Harris

The living area should be multi-purpose and able to be opened to the north for sun and warmth throughout the year and easy indoor/outdoor living. Environmentally sympathetic materials and systems for hot water and heating should be considered. The owners are musical, entertain a lot and often have house guests so the home should have private areas but also be a “stage” for functions

The resulting design is everything and more! The huge living area can be divided up literally into rooms by means of an ingenious sliding door system which converts the space into dining, lounge and music room spaces around a double sided open fireplace.

The overall shape of the home shows influences of marine architecture. The rounded front of the home has elements of the cruise ships of today with its balcony and splayed glass balustrade. Even the rear of the house with its curved sliding garage doors has influences of a tugboat.

photos : Mark Harris

The curved theme is everywhere and brings cohesiveness to the design. The circular ends to the floor plan itself; the grand helix curved staircase that welcomes visitors; the porthole roof skylight; the curved bespoke stainless steel canopy over the entry and the northern façade; the interior walls that lead visitors into the public spaces; the kitchen with not one straight vertical surface; vanities with graceful curves; and the master bathroom with its unusual curved glass shower screen.

The fluid nature of curves in this home that offer experiences of both encapsulation of the space but also curves that lead one on to new experiences around the corner.

Exterior walls are whitewashed plaster with elements of stainless steel for sparkle. The roof is a membrane surface including the two roof domes. Underfloor heating tubes are heated by gas and the hot water by Heat Pump. Solar green glazing couple with maximum insulation takes care of the thermal loss during cold winters.

photos : Mark Harris

All in all the owners love their home of seven years and only wish that they could stay another seven years but the family have gone and new horizons await.